Wrapper-folding mechanism.



L. ,FISGHER. WRAPPER FOLDING MECHANISM. Arrmuulolurwb m. 5, 1912.

Patented Jan.21,1913@ 3 SHEET8SHEET 1.

L. FISCHER. WRAPPER -FOLDING MECHA APPLIGATION'FILBD FEBr5, I

Patented" J an. 21

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WRAPPER FOLDING MEGEANISM. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5, 1912.

1,0508% Patented Jan. 21', 1913;

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LOUIS FISCHER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, -AS$IGNOB TO RICHARD H.WRIGHT, OF DURHAM, NORTH'CARQLINA.

WRAPPER-FOLDING MECHANISM.

Application filed February 5, 1912.

particularly to means for folding the. end" tlaps of packages, and theprimary object of the invention is to provide means where by the endflaps of a package are folded two or more times, thereby producing ineffect a lock fold which willeffectively close the end of the packageand .remain in locked condition without requiring the use of anadhesive, the means provided by the present invention for..acco1n.plishing this result be ing relatively simple in constructionso that it is not liable to require frequent ad ust ment or repair andits mode of operation is such that it perform its functions rapidly andwith certainty.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements,and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinaftermore fully described, the novel features being pointed out particularlyin the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawings :-Figure l is a top plan view of foldingmechanism constructed in accordance with one cmbodi- .ment of theinvention; Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal section of the mechanism onthe line 22 of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 represents a'transverse section on the line3-3 of Fig. 1 .Fig. at represents a transverse sect-ion on the line4-etof Fig. 1' ;'Fig. 5 represents a transverse section on the line 55of Fig. 1; Fig. 6

lng two steps in the operation of preparing the end flaps tor thefolding operation; Figs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan.21,1913.

Serial No. 675,575.

13, 1d and 15 show the progressive steps in the operation of folding theend flaps, the

folding operation being complete in Fig. 15; s

and Fig. 16 is a pers )ect'ive view of the completely folded package.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in theseveral views. Folding mechanism embodying the present invention isapplicable generally to packaging machines of various types, the mecha-"nism being capable of effectively closing and folding the end flaps ofthe packages irrespective of the contents of the package or the mannerin which the packages are made up, the invent-ion, however, beingparticularly adaptedflto operate upon wrappers upon the two fia'psofpackages which are relatively flat and rectangular in general form such,for example, as packages containing cakes ofchocolatqsoap' and the like.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawing and will be hereinafter described in detail, although it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to the particularconstruction shown and described as changes may be made in theconstruction and relative arrangement of the parts in carrying theinvention into practice without departingfrom the essential. features ofthe invention.

In the present instance, 1 designates a table of suitable constructionwhich serves as a guide or support over which the packages move duringthe closing and folding of the end flaps thereof, the advancing movementof the packages being effected by any suitable means such, for example,

as a conveyor which, however, forms no part of the present invention.The packages preferably slide in a flatwise'position along the surfaceof the table which is preferably horizontal, and the packages are heldin proper relation to the table top and to the flap-closing and foldingdevices by a pair of guides 2 which extend in parallelism with the tabletop and are suitably supported in such position, these guides preferablyengaging the packages at or adja-' cent to the ends thereof. The surface3 of thetable along which the packages travel is raised or, elevatedabove the sides ofv the table and is of a width corresponding to thelength of the package, depressed channels 4 being thereby formed at theoppow site longitudinal edges of the-package supporting surface 3. Theclosing of the end flaps of the package is effected by a pair of folders5 which in the present instance are fastened in stationary position uponthe table top and at opposite sides of the package supporting surface 3thereon by screws orequivalent devices (3. These folders are ofduplicate construction although they are mounted in reverse relation,each folder having its inner longitudinal edge formed on its under sidewith an undercut edge 7 the 'surface of which is in substantially theplane of the package supporting surface3 on the table top, the channeltliusformed at each side of the package supporting surface 3 of thetable being of sufficient width to accommodate the end fiaps of thepackage. The forward end of each folder is formed with a bevel orincline 8 which leads to and provides an enlarged entrance to thechannel formed by the undercut surface 7 of the folder, this beveled orinclined surface of each folder also performing the function offlattening the upper end flap of the package down upon the correspondinglower I end flap of the package as the latter is advanced relatively tothe folders. The corner 9 which is formed on each folder between theinner longitudinal edge thereof and the undercut edge 7 is preferablyrelatively sharp and the corner 10 which is formed at each longitudinaledge of the raised surface 3 on-the table and is diagonally opposite tothe corner 9 is also preferably sharp w? ireby these corners may operateupon the opposed flaps of the wrapper immediately adjacent to the bodyof the package and thereby produce a creasing effect which will enablethe flaps to be folded sharply at these points and to remain in foldedcondition.

Beyond or in rear of the folders 5 are a pair of folders 11 which arealso arranged .at opposite sides of the package supporting 45.

surface 3 on the table, these folders being duplicates but arranged inreverse relation. Each of the folders 11 serves to roll up therespective end flaps of the wrapper, the end flaps at each end of thepackage being at this time lapped in close relation. Each of thefolders. 11 is formed with a slot 12 which is arranged in substantiallythe same plane with the package supporting surface 3, and at the forwardend of thefolder this slot is of a width sufficient to accommodate theouter end of the slot 12 at the entrance a direction toward the body ofthe packagc owing to the convcrgcnt relation of the bores 14: and whenthe package reaches the rear ends of the folders 1.1, the end llaps onthe package will be completely rolled against the ends of the package.In order to enable the folders 11 to be rcadily opcncd so as to enablefragments of the package to be removed therefrom should the same becometorn, each folder 11 is preferably composed of a pair of sections 15 andl() which are pivotally connected by a hinge 14'. the section 15 beingfixed to the top of the table by screws 18 and the upper pivoted section16 may be provided with a knob or handle 19 to facilitate openingthereof. 1n order to normally retain the folders 11 in closed condition.a spring 30 may be provided for the pivoted section of each folder andthis spring may bear on a dclent 21. which is attached to the section16, the end of the detent being llattcncd on two sides whereby thepivoted section 16 may be retained by the spring either in opcn orclosed position.

Devices are provided in rear of or beyond the folders 11 to llatlcn therolled [laps on the ends of the wrapper and thereby produce lock folds.ln the present instance, a pair of leaf springs 3'2 are provided, thesesprings being suitably fixed for example to the lower or stationarysections 15 of the folders 11 and their free ends are located atopposite sides of the package supporting surface 3 on the table, theseoperative portions of the springs having an inherent tendency to moveinwardly and when the package is moved along the surface 3 of the tableand between these springs. the latter bear upon the rolled ends of thepackage and thereby flatten them into thcir linal form.

Figs. 9 to 16 inclusive of the drawing shown in Fig. 10. and the cornersof the Fig. n}

trapper arc folded imvardly. shows the condition of the end 'llaps ofthe wrappcr when the package occupies the position indicated by the setion line 4 4, the upper end flap a bcing then partially possessflattened down upon the lower end flap a. Fig. 12 shows the condition ofthe end flaps of the Wrapper when the package occupies the positionindicated by the section line 5 of 1, the upper end flaps a being m theend flaps begins as indicated in Fig. 13,

and this rolling operation progresses as the package advances owing tothe convergent relation of the bores 14-, the end flaps of the Wrapperbeing curled Within this cylindri- 15 cal bore. Fig. 141- shows the endof the Wrapper in completely roller condition, the package occupying atthis time the position indicated by the section line 77 of Fi 1. A herthe end flaps have been. rolled 5; in this manner, the rolled flaps areflattened by the sprii the condition of the end flaps at this time beingindicated by Fig. 15. in the present instance, the end flaps are foldedtwice upon themselves, thus produc- 5 ing a lock told Which Will remainin folded or closed condition Without requiring the use of an adhesive.It is obvious, however, that the parts may be so proportioned as toproduce two or more folds of the end flaps 3Q may be desired ornecessary,

Folding mechanism embodying the present invent-ion is relatively simplein construction and the folding operations are eftected by relativelystationary parts and the 5 different operations proceed as the packageis advanced in a rectilinear direction so that the operation of feedingthe packages to the folding mechanism may be simple and the i'iackagesmay move continuously during he folding operations, complicated mechatenthe rolled flaps to form a fold.

Hill of means operative roll the superposed flaps s of a wrapper, andmeans on the rolled flaps to pro- 2. The combi to simultui'uw: atopposite en operative to ii.

duce a fold.

ll, The combination of means embodying cylindrical vialls operative toroll the flaps ot a wrapper toward and directly against the body of thewrapper, and meansoperooh-tive :to flatten the rolled flaps against thebody or the wrapper, the {lap rollingmeans convergin toward said flapflattening means. i. The con'sbinuthm of means embodying convergingcylimlrical Walls operative to roll the liaps er a wrap mr directlyagainst the body thereof, and means operative to flatten the rolledflaps against the body of the Wrapper to form a multiple fold thereof.

The combination of means embodying converging cylindrical Wallsoperative to roll the flaps of anwi'apper directly against the bodythereof, and means operative to flatten the rolled flaps against thebody of the Wrapper to produce a double, ,told thereof.

(l. The combination, of means for super' posing and pressing one flap ofa Wrapper against an opposed iiap thereof, means em bodymg convergingcylindrical Walls operative to,roll the superposed flaps While pressedtogether, and means operative to flatten the rolled flaps to form afold.

'7. The combination of means for pressing one end flap oi awrapper-fiatwise againstthe opposed end flap thereof, means for rollingsuch flaps While pressed together, and means embodying convergingcylindrical walls operative to flatten the rolled 8. The combination ofa support along which packages are adapted to travel, means at oppositesides of said support operative to roll the opposite end fiapsot apackage While the latter travels along said support,

and means operative to flatten the rolled flaps against the respectiveends of the package as the package advances on said support. y

9. The combination ot'a support along which packages are adapted totravel, means operative to press a flap of a package against an opposedflap thereof, means for forming such flaps into a roll While pressedtogether, and means for flattening the rolled. flaps, said means beingoperative successively as the package is advanced along said support.10. The combination of a support along Which packages are adapted totravel, means at opposite sides of said support-for rolling the oppositeend flaps of a package as the latter advances along said support, andmeans at opposite sides of said support for flatteningthe. rolledfiapsas the package advances along said support.

11, The combination of a support along. l which packages are adapted totravel, means at opposite sides of said support for press ing togetherthe flaps at the opposite ends of a package, means for rolling the endflaps, and means for flattening the rolled flaps against the respectiveends of the package.

12. The combination of a runway for packages, means for pressingtogether the opposed flaps at the ends of a package on said runway,means at opposite sides of the runway operative to roll the end flapstoward the respective ends of the package, and means for flatteningtherollcd flaps against the ends of the package.

13. The combination of a runway for packages, a pair of pressing membersfixed at opposite sides of the runway and operative to press togetherthe opposed flaps atthe ends of a package moving along the runway, apair of folders fixed at opposite sides of the runway and operative toroll the end flaps as the package advances along the runway, and meansarranged at opposite sides of the runway and operative to flatten therolled flaps against the respective ends age, and a cylindrical boretangential to said slot and convergent with respect to said edge, andpressing means located beyond said bore and operative toward saidguiding edge.

16. A folder having an abutment and guiding edge, a slot extendingtherefrom and adapted to receive and press together the flaps of awrapper, and a cylindrical roll-forming bore tangential to said slotandconvergent with respect to said edge, and

a pressing device located beyond said bore and acting in a directiontoward said guid ing-edge.

17. A folder composed of relatively separable sections and having a slotformed between them to receive and press together the flaps of a wrapperand also having a bore formed between them whichis tangential to said.slot and is operative to form said flaps into a complete roll, said slotand bore being accessible when the sections are relatively separated,and means located beyond said bore and operative to flatten the rollformed therein.

18. The combination of a pair of relatively fixed folders operative toroll the flaps at opposite ends of a package, and a pair ofyicldably-operating devices to press upon and flatten the rolled flapsat the ends of the package as the latter is passed between them.

19. The combination of a runway for packages, and pairs of devicesspaced longitudinally and arranged at opposite sides thereof for rollingthe end flaps of the packages and subsequently flattening such rolledflaps against the ends of the pack ages as the latter travel along saidrunway.

20. The combination of means for offsetting and pressing one flap of apackage flatwise against an opposed flap thereof which is in the planeof its respective side of the package, means for forming such flaps intoa roll against the body of the package, and means for flattening therolled flaps against the body of the package.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

LOUIS FISCHER. \Vitncsses J. T. Pmmsn, C. T. MoCUIs'ron.

